Product Description

What did the early church fathers actually say about ethical issues that still divide Christians? Sider objectively quotes from all-important sources, including synods, church orders, apocryphal writings, epitaphs, and recent archaeological discoveries. Will be of immense value to leaders in any denomination. 320 pages, softcover. Baker.

Publisher's Description

What did the early church believe about killing? What was its view on abortion? How did it approach capital punishment and war? Noted theologian and bestselling author Ron Sider lets the testimony of the early church speak in the first of a three-volume series on biblical peacemaking.

This book provides in English translation all extant data directly relevant to the witness of the early church until Constantine on killing. Primarily, it draws data from early church writings, but other evidence, such as archaeological finds and Roman writings, is included.

Sider taps into current evangelical interest in how the early church informs contemporary life while presenting a thorough, comprehensive treatment on topics of perennial concern. The book includes brief introductions to every Christian writer cited and explanatory notes on many specific texts.

Author Bio

Ronald J. Sider (PhD, Yale University) is the founder and president emeritus of Evangelicals for Social Action and professor of theology, holistic ministry, and public policy at Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He is the author of many books, including the bestselling Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger and The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience.

This book covers a relatively narrow topic, but introduces the reader to much primary source material. This would be a great addition to any library.

Furthermore, one doesn't need to read every single document to note some of the tendencies in the early church. At times the author's pacifist background comes through, but for the most part, this book appears to be unbiased. Perhaps there is more evidence to be taken note of, but this is a great introduction.